Think before...

Something happened over the weekend that made me really think. A very good friend of mine was arrested for a DUI. Without going into the gory details, I have to say that hearing the news shook me to my core. It shook me because I didn’t know what to think.

First, of course, I worried that she was okay. When I first heard she had just been arrested and was on her way to booking I could only imagine. The only time I ever rode in the back of a cop car was for, ironically, a journalism field trip we took to the San Jose Police Station for the Sober Graduation articles we were writing. I imagined the mug shot and the “drunk tank.” All horrifically playing out in my mind.

Second, I got mad. But this emotion didn’t last very long. I definitely didn’t think “how could she do this?” I didn’t think it because that would have been a pot and kettle hypocrisy. I’ve been there. Before I got pregnant I quit drinking for a year because I was imbibing a little too much. Now, it was mostly at home or at a friend’s house and my husband was my DD, but I KNOW there were times when I drove and I shouldn’t have.

Third, I got empathetic. Does she need someone to talk to about making the decision to quit drinking? Does she need someone to tell her that she’s not a bad Mom? Does she need someone to tell her that she made a horrible mistake and that I’m here to help her get through it? This is the route I’m looking to take right now. I haven’t talked to her over the phone. I know a couple of other friends have. We’ve exchanged text messages but I haven’t heard her story. I don’t know that it matters. All I, as her friend, want to do from this point is help her to get through this. She needs friends and I am ready and willing to be there.

So…hug your hunny and your kiddos tonight. Think hard about having that drink and putting the keys in the ignition. I know that this has (for lack of a better term) sobered me and I’ll make better decisions knowing it could happen to anyone.

~Becky

I'm guilty...

I heard a story on CNN while driving to work this morning (I love XM talk radio and yes - I had to work today) about Tivo Guilt. Well, I don't have Tivo bit I do have DVR which is almost the same thing but I think I seriously have the guilt. When Steve and I first moved in together in our little one bedroom apartment we decided against paying for cable and saving the money. Well....we should seriously consider going back to those days. We read, we talked, we played with the pup, anything but watch TV. Oh how I long for those days (kind of -this DVR thing is entirely my fault.)

Now, however, we record WAY too many things! Last night, when we got home from a glorious Thanksgiving feast, Steve and I turned the tube on for some DVR watching. We had 37 items recorded. 37! And the worst part is that we feel as though we HAVE to watch them. This is horrible! Is TV that important? Does it matter if I miss an episode of Law & Order? Are we really three weeks behind on all our shows? Aren't we watching WAY more TV now? We need to take the kiddo outside and get off our bums!

New Year's resolution #2 (#1 was staying more in touch with my friend Megan) is to delete 7 programs from the DVR. (I know - only 7? Give me a break, this will be a weaning process, not unlike breastfeeding. HA!) There are a few that HAVE to stay (umm...CSI, Grey's, etc) but I think I can give some up (adios Girl's Next Door, regular L&O - 7, really?)

I hope I'm not the only one with this problem. Isn't the first step to recovery admitting you have one? Are you addicted to DVR too?

~Becky